Grand Circle Adventure
Self-drive tour
The incomparable beauty of the American Southwest is encaps
ulated in this 16 day/15 night self-drive tour through the national parks and stunning scenery of Utah, Arizona, Colorado and Nevada.
We have combined the highest concentration of national parks in America into a leisurely tour beginning and ending in Las Vegas and operating daily from 05 May to 29 September.
Day 1. Arrive Las Vegas. Upon arrival at Las Vegas McCarran Airport, make your own way to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day exploring the famous Las Vegas nightlife from your hotel on the Strip. Overnight: Excalibur Hotel & Casino (Standard) or Luxor Hotel & Casino (Superior).
Day 2. Las Vegas. Relax and enjoy the facilities of your hotel, stroll along the Strip and marvel at the hotels and casinos, take an excursion to the Hoover Dam, a raft ride on the Colorado River (float - not white-water), or cool off on the water-slides of Wet 'n Wild in the heart of Las Vegas. In the evening take in a show, or try your luck in the casinos. Overnight: Excalibur Hotel & Casino (Standard) or Luxor Hotel & Casino (Superior).
Day 3. Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon National Park (276 miles). Collect your rental car this morning and set off on the first leg of your driving tour. The journey today takes you past the Hoover Dam and across the Mohave Desert to the Grand Canyon's south rim. On the journey today you have the option of driving along part of historic Route 66 (additional mileage) or taking the quicker Interstate 40 and arriving at the Grand Canyon a little earlier. Either way make sure you don't miss the sunset at Grand Canyon. Overnight: Maswik Lodge (Standard) or Yavapai East Lodge (Superior).
Day 4. Grand Canyon to Lake Powell (150 miles). Linger at the Grand Canyon this 
morning - take a helicopter or aeroplane ride over the Canyon and enjoy a thrilling scenic flight, or take a stroll along the west rim of the Canyon and experience the tranquillity and beauty of sunrise over the Grand Canyon. The short drive to Lake Powell takes you along the east rim of the Canyon, through Cameron and across the Kaibab Plateau to Lake Powell. Overnight: Courtyard By Marriott (Standard) or Lake Powell Resort (Superior).
Day 5. Lake Powell. Lake Powell is the second largest man-made lake in North America, stretching over 190 miles and with a shoreline longer than the west coast of the United States it is a huge lake created by the Glen Canyon Dam across the Colorado River. 
There is much to do and see at Lake Powell. We particularly recommend that you enjoy a cruise to Rainbow Bridge a 300-foot high natural stone arch believed by the native Navajo to be a rainbow turned to stone by the gods. The cruise on the lake provides an ideal introduction to the area and you will learn a lot about the history of the region. A half-day float trip on a raft from the base of the Glen Canyon Dam is also a 'must'. The raft gently floats down stream from the dam on the Colorado River through narrow gorges with towering cliffs, past Indian sites and wildlife to the end point of your cruise - the historic Lees Ferry. We stress that this is a float trip - not a white-water raft experience. Overnight: Courtyard By Marriott (Standard) or Lake Powell Resort (Superior).
Day 6. Drive via Monument Valley to Canyon De Chelly (235 miles).Arrive at Monument Valley - one of the most spectacular locations on your tour. Monument Valley's red san
dstone buttes and towering columns have formed a dramatic backdrop to countless western movies including John Wayne's 'Stage Coach'. We recommend that you pre-book a guided tour of the Valley with a native guide. Many of the roads are unpaved and so cannot be accessed with a rental car, and the valley is vast and many of the best features are hidden from the casual visitor. With a Navajo guide and a suitable vehicle you will see and learn a lot more than a do-it-yourself tour. In the afternoon continue on across the beautiful northern Arizona landscape to Canyon De Chelly. Overnight: Holiday Inn Canyon de Chelly (Standard & Superior).
Day 7. Canyon de Chelly. The only way to experience Canyon de Chelly is to take a tour with one of the native Navajo guides. Any visitor found entering the Canyon without a native guide will be fined. It is possible to view the canyon from the public road overlooking the canyon - and we recommend that you do this in the late afternoon - but the only way to tour inside the Canyon is with a guide. Just America can prebook a half-day tour for you (additional cost). The tour takes you through the Canyon and stops to view the ancient Anasazi Indian cliff dwellings, petroglyphs and sweat lodges. The beauty of the Canyon, the dramatic scenery, fascinating history, the wildlife, and the Navajo culture combine to make this an unforgettable tour. Overnight: Holiday Inn Canyon de Chelly (Standard & Superior).
Day 8. Canyon De Chelly to Durango. (220 miles). The scenery changes as you cross the Four Corners area - the only point in the United States where four states meet - and journey via the towns of Cortez and Mancos to Durango. We recommend that you visit Mesa Verde National Park before arriving in Durango. Mesa Verde has one of the larges and best-preserved examples of Anasazi cliff dwellings. In fact archaeology has revealed that the area was inhabited thousands of years ago, long before the impressive cliff dwellings were constructed. The views over the surrounding area from the top of Mesa Verde are spectacular and the park is a 'must see' in our opinion. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the western town of Durango. Overnight: Holiday Inn Durango (Standard) or The Strater Hotel (Superior).
Day 9. Durango. You have the opportunity to take an optional excursion on the famous Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (reservations recommended). Other daytime Durango activities include, hiking, mountain biking, rafting, jeep excursions and hot-air ballooning. In the evening explore the old-west atmosphere of Durango's saloons, shops and restaurants. Overnight: Holiday Inn Durango (Standard) or The Strater Hotel (Superior).
Day 10. Durango to Moab (180 miles). Another leisurely journey today allows you time to stop and explore the towns and sites on route to Moab. You may wish to visit Canyonlands National Park which you will pass just before arriving in Moab. Overnight: Aarchway Inn (Standard & Superior).
Day 11. Moab. The town is privileged to have two stunning national parks - one at each end of town - plus Dead Horse Point State Park. As it these were not enough, the La Sal Mountains provide a spectacular backdrop to the town and parks. We recommend that you pre-book a day long combination tour - a jet-boat ride on the Colorado River through Canyonlands followed by a 4-wheel drive escorted excursion through Canyonlands in the afternoon. Much of Canyonlands cannot be accessed by rental car, as many of the roads are unpaved, so travelling with an expert guide in a suitable vehicle is the best way to see the park. Arches National Park can be accessed with a rental car and there are lots of gentle, short hiking trails making viewing of the park very easy. Dead Horse Point at sunset offers dramatic views of the Colorado River. Other Moab activities include mountain-biking, white-water rafting, horse-riding, hiking and scenic flightseeing. Overnight: Aarchway Inn (Standard & Superior).
Day 12. Via Capitol Reef National Park to Bryce Canyon (280 miles) The journey today takes you across the San Rafael Desert to Capitol Reef National Park where you can enjoy the park and have lunch before continuing to Bryce Canyon. Overnight: Best Western Ruby's Inn (Standard) or Bryce Lodge (Superior).
Day 13. Bryce Canyon National Park. 
A full day to discover beautiful Bryce Canyon. The colourful spires and hoodoos of Bryce, the lovely views over the Grand Staircase National Monument and the clean pine-scented air will make it difficult to leave this beautiful park. Take a horseback ride down into Bryce Canyon or stroll along the rim and enjoy the scenic overlooks. Overnight: Best Western Ruby's Inn (Standard) or Bryce Lodge (Superior).
Day 14. Bryce Canyon to Zion National Park (80 miles) From Bryce a short drive brings you to Zion National Park, your 7th national park on this tour, and certainly one of the best. Overnight: Best Western Zion Park Inn (Standard) or Zion Lodge (Superior).
Day 15. Zion to Las Vegas (150 miles). From the rugged green valley of Zion it's a short drive back to Las Vegas where your tour concludes with a final night at your hotel on the Strip. Overnight: Best Western Mardi Gras (Standard) or Bellagio Hotel & Casino (Superior).
Day 16 Depart Las Vegas.
Return your rental car and check in for your return flight to the UK.
Important note: This tour can easily be adapted to start and end in Phoenix.
Just America specialises in tailor-making holidays and we will be pleased to design this or any of our tours to your specifications.
We can provide details, prices and make reservations for optional sightseeing excursions mentioned in the itinerary.
All mileages are approximate. Hotels/Lodges are subject to availability at the time of booking.
